Meeting of the Parish Council held at 7:30PM on Monday 4th September 2017 at Wychbold Community Centre, School Road, Wychbold, WR9 7PU

In attendance: David Hunter-Miller (Clerk), Peter Tomlinson (County Councillor), Hugh Hamilton (District Councillor), member of the public

1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Suzanne Shinn, Jo Lammas and Helen Leadbeater.

2. Declarations of interest
Nil declared.

3. Dispensations
Nil received.

4. To consider and adopt the minutes from the Parish Council meeting on 31st July 2017.
The minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

5. Progress reports:

1. Grass management schedule
No update was available. It was agreed to review the grass cutting contracts following completion of the playing field improvement work.

2. Lighting column 4, St Richards Close
Peter Tomlinson offered to contribute 50% towards the cost of the replacement lighting column which was gratefully received by the Parish Council. Cllr Jones would query the costs with Prysmian to see if a cheaper rate was available.

3. Oak tree, playing field
The Clerk would arrange an assessment of the three oak trees on the playing field to see if any work, or felling, was required.

4. Velo Birmingham
Peter Tomlinson provided an update on the Birmingham Velo. It was noted that the order to close the road has been signed off. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to County Councillor Alan Amos to strongly object to the Velo.

6. Open Session:

1. To receive a report by the District Councillor
Hugh Hamilton provided a brief update on air quality.

2. To receive a report by the County Councillor
Peter Tomlinson provided an update on the M5 roadworks and responded to concerns over the extra congestion on county roads that this would cause. It was noted that objections had been lodged with Highways England and the relevant Members of Parliament. The Parish Council were deeply concerned about the safety issues created by the additional traffic through the village.

3. Public participation
No questions were received from the public.

7. Correspondence: To consider concerns received regarding Footpath DL-569 (alongside the Salwarpe).
It was noted that the Parish Paths Warden had reviewed the site and would refer concerns to the County Council for consideration. No further action was considered necessary at this time.

8. Co-option: To receive an update on applications received.
An application had been received from James Leah and the Parish Council agreed to co-opt to the Council with immediate effect.

9. Planning and Updates

1. 17/01133/FUL – Rashwood Lodge, Rashwood Hill, Rashwood, Droitwich Spa, WR9 0BW. Change of use of office/storage space to stabling/tack room with associated livery yard.
It was agreed to restate the objections previously lodged and to emphasise concerns over the secondary access which was considered too close to the A38.

12. Consideration of charity donations
A £250.00 charity donation was agreed, exact details to be confirmed at a later date.

13. Notification of emergency payment 10/08/17 of £25.00 to A Keane for 200 Club 14. Notification of emergency payment 10/08/17 of £10.00 to A Keane for 200 Club 15. Notification of emergency payment 10/08/17 of £10.00 to A Keane for 200 Club 16. Notification of emergency payment 10/08/17 of £100.00 to M Addy for caretaking 17. Notification of emergency payment 10/08/17 of £90.00 to M Addy for the handymanThe above payments were noted.

18. To consider using Direct Debit for the Village Hall phone/broadband service
It was agreed that the phone and broadband services should be paid by direct debit in future.

11. Neighbourhood Development Plan
Following a briefing session with Wychavon District Council it was agreed to defer progressing a Neighbourhood Development Plan until 2018 at the earliest.

12. Village Hall Committee
A short updated was provided on the Village Hall Committee and website.

13. Village Hall car parking
Concerns were raised regarding a skip and excavator being used on the village hall car park without permission.

14. Christmas Day 2017
The Council agreed, in principle, to pay for the village hall hire to facilitate a proposed event to provide meals at Christmas, provided that the event would be properly managed and that the hall was left tidy and clean. Further details would be sought from the organisers.

15. Delegation to the Clerk
The Council agreed to delegate authority to the Parish Clerk for urgent decisions between meetings. A limit of £500 for expenditure was agreed.

16. Defibrillator training
It was suggested that the British Legion Club be used for the training. A date for the training was still to be decided.

17. Meeting of Neighbouring Parish Councils
It was noted that the meeting had been cancelled.

18. Lengthsman
No update was available on the contract arrangements at this time. It was agreed to ask the Lengthsman to attend to the drain by the church which needs emptying and to cut the hedgerows on the A38 by the Harvester traffic island.

19. Public Rights of Way
It was agreed to advise the Parish Paths Warden of CCTV signs that had been erected near the pedestrian bridge over the Salwarpe that give the erroneous impression that no Public Right of Way exists.

20. Playing Field Improvements
A short update was given on the proposed playing field improvements. It was noted that an additional quote was being sought for design and build. Digital copies of the plans would be requested from the designers to allow easier circulation.

21. Councillors’ reports and Items for the next agenda
The following items were agreed for the next agenda:
• Neighbourhood Development Plan
• Village Hall Committee
• Email circulation lists
• Allotments contract and waiting lists

22. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council would be Monday 2nd October 2017 at 7:30PM.